FORTY-five new homes could be built in Bolton if plans are given the green light.

A planning application submitted by Watson Homes, proposes to demolish an existing bungalow and build nine new houses with a four storey block of 36 apartments in the Johnson Fold area.

This would be on land off Grizedale Close, adjacent to Moss Bank Way, which currently houses one bungalow with a number of trees.

The plans for the total of 45 new homes would be 100 per cent affordable, according to the developers, with funding coming from Homes England.

The houses are planned to be a mixture of two and three bedroom properties with the majority of flats being one bedroom with a handful of two bedroom flats.

A design and access statement from the applicant says: "The site is in a sustainable location. Employment and retail facilities are within easy access from the site, as it is conveniently situated between Bolton Town Centre and Middlebrook Retail Park.

"There are good road networks in the area and bus stops are within walking distance giving direct access to the town centre and retail park. Beyond the immediate residential surroundings, there are recreational land uses with Old Links Golf Club, Moss Bank Park and Doffcocker Lodge located within close proximity. Johnson Fold Community Primary School is also within walking distance of the site."

New access for cars and pedestrians would need to be created for the properties which would be provided by demolishing the existing bungalow and would become an adopted road.

The application states that a "number of trees are to be felled to allow the proposed development to be viable" with all but one of the trees on the site falling outside the tree protection order (TPO) area. However, the applicant says that all the trees that are to be felled have been agreed with the Tree Officer.

Parking for all residents and a secure bin store will be provided, according to the application.

The design and access statement adds that the development will be sustainable for new residents as the "The site is located in close proximity (about 3 miles) to Bolton town centre, which is well served by retail and other amenities, and is easily reached by bus. Bus stops with direct bus routes to Horwich, Chorley and Preston are also available within short walking distance from the site.

"The area surrounding the site is very well served by schools—with primary school establishments lying within 500m of the site. Additional primary, nursery and higher education establishments are to be found within 2km of the site. The site lies immediately adjacent to an extensive area of playing and sports fields, with a number of additional public recreational and amenity facilities being available within 500m."